Introduction to Ethics (PHIL 160, SECTION 002)

This course will be an introduction to ethics in general, and the historical roots of the three most influential contemporary normative theories in particular:  Aristotle (virtue ethics), Mill (utilitarianism), and Kant (Kantian ethics), and one of their most influential critics, Nietzsche.  The aim is to gain an understanding of the aims and methods of ethics, and critically assess them — are moral values objective?  What makes an action right or wrong and are we in the position to tell the difference?  Are we morally responsible in a meaningful sense?  Are moral actions good for us, or is morality a mere method of control?

Critical discussion emphasized.

Dana Falkenberg’s webpage